- English translation
He's always there to eat and drink, but the moment he's needed, he's gone.
- Literal wording
He eats and drinks, and at the time of need he runs away.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying condemns a person who enjoys the good things others provide, such as food, drink, and hospitality, yet disappears as soon as a real need arises. Such a person takes freely from a relationship but offers nothing in return when support is expected.
At a broader level, it warns that someone's presence during easy times shows little about their reliability. True worth appears in moments of difficulty, and a companion who flees then has revealed that their attachment rested on benefit alone.
- When it is used
Say it about anyone, man or woman, who readily shares meals, comforts, or benefits but vanishes once help, effort, or loyalty is asked. It is a sharp complaint about a relative, friend, or dependent; aimed at a specific person, it can land as an insult.
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- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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